Harley-Davidson Soft TailModel year report

2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail Problems

Complaints: 23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 1,700miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail. The part named most often is electrical system, with 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 1,700 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Battery cover does not stay closed during the operation of the motorcycle. The cover will fall open while riding causing it to hit the riders leg. Although the cover it's self does not weigh enough to cause injury, it is a signifcant distraction which could result in the loss of control. Both bikes have been to the dealer several times for repairs, unfortinatly the repair parts are on back order. Continued difficulty in getting the cover to stay closed on the 08 bike caused the dealer to remove the cover as a temporary fix until the repair parts can be had. …”

NHTSA complaint #10279214, filed 2009-08, 1,500 miles

Fuel system: “2009 harley deluxe gas cap under pressure sprays fuel onto the gas tank engine and rider. If bike is tipped on its side gas leaks from gas cap. We took this to a dealer for this problem previously. Problem still exist. We will take it back tomorrow. This is a major safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10352644, filed 2010-08, 1,200 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Purchased a 2009 harley davidson ( new ) in june of 2010. At 1700 miles the bolts that hold the rear sprocket to the wheel have backed out causing what could have been a catastrophic failure ie: rear wheel locking up at a highway speed and causing a crash. Harley davidson mechanics stated to me this is not the first one they have seen. I cannot believe that hd has not instituted a recall, they have to be aware of problem through feedbacks from shops. …”

NHTSA complaint #10356833, filed 2010-09, 1,700 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,200 and 5,800 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 1,700 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

10030773Dec 5, 2008Other or unknown, Equipment. Harley davidson motorcycle: flywheel end play specifications were changed from 0.003-0.010 in. (0.076-0.254mm) to 0.003-0.013 in. (0.076-0.330mm). Spoke torque has changed to 55 in-lbs (6.2 nm) on…

Other model years of the Harley-Davidson Soft Tail

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2009	23	1,700	0	—	—	—	Stable

All Harley-Davidson Soft Tail model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 6 complaints (26% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.

Has the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Harley-Davidson Soft Tail reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 1,700 miles and the middle half falls between 1,200 and 5,800 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.